# NTSB LAX02LA223: Steen SE-1, N2018S, Tucson, AZ, July 13, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 13, 2002, 06:43 local (13:43 UTC) - Place: Tucson, AZ - Coordinates: 32.149723, -111.17694 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.1497&lon=-111.1769&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 55206 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX02LA223 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55206/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55206 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX02LA223 ## Probable cause the loss of engine power during takeoff for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency landing after takeoff - In flight collision with object, emergency landing after takeoff - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The experimental amateur-built airplane impacted trees and terrain during a forced landing following a loss of engine power during takeoff. The private pilot was attempting his third flight test after obtaining a Special Airworthiness Certificate for the airplane. The engine had a history of oil temperature and oil pressure problems that the owner was attempting to fix. After departure, the pilot radioed tower personnel that he had an engine problem and was going to attempt to land on the highway. A post crash fire consumed the airplane. No maintenance records for the airplane were found, no records for the pilot were provided, and the cause of the engine problem could not be determined. ## Factual narrative On July 13, 2002, at 0643 mountain standard time, an amateur-built, experimental Steen SE-1 single engine airplane, N2018S, collided with trees and terrain after takeoff from Ryan Field Airport (RYN), Tucson, Arizona, after reporting engine problems. The owner/pilot operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The collision sequence and a post impact fire destroyed the airplane. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local area flight, and no flight plan had been filed. According to a witness, this was the third attempt to test fly the airplane. The engine had a history of oil temperature and oil pressure problems that the owner was attempting to fix. Prior to departure, the pilot indicated to RYN tower personnel that he "hoped he would make it." After departure, the pilot radioed tower personnel that he had an engine problem and was going to attempt to land on the highway. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector, who responded to the accident site, the airplane impacted mesquite type trees and came to rest about 150 yards beyond the trees. The airplane engine was a Toyota MR 2 obtained from an auto salvage yard by the pilot. The inspector found no maintenance records for the airplane. Review of the FAA's aircraft records regarding the accident airplane revealed a Designated Airworthiness Representative issued a Special Airworthiness Certificate for the airplane on March 21, 2002. Photographs taken at the accident site revealed the entire airframe burnt away, with the exception of the wooden spars and the fuselage tubular structure. Fire destroyed the instrument panel, cockpit area, and entire fuel system. The one propeller blade (composite) was warped and its trailing edge was partially separated where the face and front of the blade attach. The other composite blade separated and was warped and burned adjacent to the spinner. The nature of the engine problem could not be determined. The last medical certificate issued to the pilot was a third-class medical issued in June 1989. Pilot records were not made available to the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge. The Pima County Medical Examiner's office conducted an autopsy on the pilot. The medical examiner noted a preexisting heart condition, but attributed the cause of death to injuries sustained in the accident. A toxicology test conducted on the pilot for carbon monoxide, cyanide, volatiles, and drugs resulted in no findings. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2018S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2018S-2015-05-20), registration cancelled 2015-05-20, S/N 001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Steen SE-1 - Registry model: [Steen James L SE 1](https://openairdocs.org/model/steen-james-l-se-1) (registry code 05612GP) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Engines: Toyota/Auto MR 2 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James L. Steen - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: RYN, TUCSON, AZ - Destination: RYN - Airport: RYN, Ryan Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: single; toxicology performed; flight hours: 100 total, 2 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: TUS, 14 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20020713015939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020713015939A), Jul 13, 2002: Amtr CASUTRACESE1, Tucson, AZ, No damage, 1 fatal. (-23) The pilot advised the tower of his AWOS briefing and requested to stay in close for the flight. Prior to takeoff the pilot stated to the tower "I'm not… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 26, 2004, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55206. 640 KB in all. - FAA Record of Conversation (item 1, .PDF, 22 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40213507&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Record%20of%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Aircraft Information (item 2, .PDF, 562 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40409996&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Information-Redacted.PDF - Toxicological Report (item 3, .PDF, 56 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40409997&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Toxicological%20Report-Redacted.PDF From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.